Scaffold and braces cage

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a base, a first orthogonal portion and a second orthogonal portion. The first orthogonal portion may (i) be connected to a first side of the base near a first edge of the base and (ii) have a rectangular shape. The second orthogonal portion may (i) be connected to an interior of the base and (ii) have a rectangular shape. The first orthogonal portion and the second orthogonal portion may be positioned to secure a plurality of braces. The second orthogonal portion is positioned to secure a plurality of scaffolds.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to scaffolds generally and, more particularly, toa method and/or apparatus for implementing a scaffold and braces cage.

BACKGROUND

When working on houses or buildings, or other construction jobs that arehigher than the ground, scaffolding is often used to conveniently allowa worker to access high places. Scaffolding takes time to assemble,disassemble, and transport. This time is normally factored into the costof doing a job. With competitive practices, it is desirable to minimizeas many costs as possible.

It would be desirable to implement scaffold and braces cage that allowseasy transportation on a pallet.

SUMMARY

The invention concerns an apparatus comprising a base, a firstorthogonal portion and a second orthogonal portion. The first orthogonalportion may (i) be connected to a first side of the base near a firstedge of the base and (ii) have a rectangular shape. The secondorthogonal portion may (i) be connected to an interior of the base and(ii) have a rectangular shape. The first orthogonal portion and thesecond orthogonal portion may be positioned to secure a plurality ofbraces. The second orthogonal portion is positioned to secure aplurality of scaffolds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description and the appended claims and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment illustrating a framing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment illustrating mesh wire flooring andsides.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an alternate view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed diagram of a portion of one corner.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the optional gate in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a view showing an embodiment securing anumber of scaffolds and a number of braces.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an alternate view showing an embodimentsecuring a number of scaffolds and a number of braces.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an embodiment illustrating solid flooring andsides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention include a cage that may (i) alloweasy transportation of a number of scaffolds and braces, (ii) include aset of receptacles to use with a forklift, and/or (iii) be implementedusing a variety of materials such as steel and wood.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an apparatus 100 is shown inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. On one example,the apparatus 100 may form a scaffold and braces cage. The apparatus 100may hold a number of scaffolds and a number of braces in a way that isconvenient to be picked up and moved with a fork lift. With such aconfiguration, a contractor may easily prepare for a job by loading morescaffolds and braces on the apparatus 100 than can be lifted by hand.Such loading may be done separately from loading other equipment. Theapparatus 100 may allow a contractor to transport more scaffolds andbraces than would otherwise be transported. For example, a contractormay load a sufficient number of scaffolds and braces needed for acomplete job. By having more scaffolds and braces available on a jobsite, a contractor may have more flexibility in an initial setup. Suchflexibility may lead to less of a need to rearrange the scaffolds andbraces throughout the project. Such flexibility may be particularlyuseful to highly skilled crafts, such as masonry. However, painters andother contractors may also benefit from the apparatus 100.

The apparatus 100 generally comprises a frame 110, a portion 112, aportion 114, and a portion 116. The portion 112 may be formedorthogonally (e.g., to extend outward) from the frame 110. The portion112 may provide support to the apparatus 100. The portion 114 may beformed orthogonally (e.g., to extend outward) from the frame 110. Theportion 114 may provide support to the apparatus 100. The portion 112may add additional support to the portion 114. The portion 116 may beformed orthogonally (e.g., to extend outward) from the frame 110. Theportion 112 may secure the mesh. The portion 114 and the portion 116 mayhelp to keep the scaffolds in place and from sliding out of theapparatus 100.

The apparatus 100 may also comprise a door (or gate) 118. The frame 110generally comprises a plurality of beams 120 a, 120 b, 120 c and 120 d.The beams 120 a, 120 b, 120 c and 120 d may be implemented as steelbeams. The beams 120 a-120 d may be connected in a generally rectangularshape. The beam 120 a may form a first edge of the frame 110. Theorthogonal portion 112 may be connected to the first edge of the beam120 a. The orthogonal portion 114 may be connected to the beam 120 d ata second edge of the frame 110. The orthogonal portion 116 may beconnected to a corner formed by the beam 120 b and the beam 120 d.

The apparatus 100 may also include a receptacle 130 a and a receptacle130 b. The receptacles 130 a and 130 b may be configured to accept thelifting forks of typical forklift. For example, the forks of a forkliftmay slide into the receptacles 130 a and 130 b. The receptacles 130 aand 130 b may be secured to the frame 110 and may provide additionalsupport to the frame 110. The space between the receptacles 130 a and130 b may be varied to meet the design criteria of a particularimplementation. For example, a typical forklift (also called lift truck,jitney, fork truck, fork hoist, or forklift truck) has two forks thatare used to pick up a pallet (or load). A support beam 132 may beconnected between the receptacle 130 a and the receptacle 130 b. Thesupport beam 132 may extend to the beam 120 a. The support beam 132 mayprovide additional support (or strength) to the apparatus 100.

A support beam 134 may be connected between the orthogonal portion 114and the orthogonal portion 116. The support beam 134 may help to keepthe portion 116 from being un-secure (or wobbly). The support beam 134may provide overall support. In one example, more than one of thesupport beam 134 may be implemented (e.g., near the top between theorthogonal portion 114 and the orthogonal portion 116. An orthogonallypositioned support 140 may be connected to the receptacle 130 b. Anorthogonally positioned support 142 may be connected to the beam 120 c.The support 140 and the support 142 may provide additional supportand/or strength to hold a number of braces (shown in more detail inconnection with FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). The support 142 my help to keep thebraces in place on the apparatus 100.

The orthogonal portion 112 may be implemented as a beam 112 a, a beam112 b and a beam 112 c. The beams 112 a-112 c may form a generallyrectangular shape when connected to the beam 120 c. A support 144 isshown connected between the orthogonal portion 112 and the orthogonalportion 114. The support 144 may provide additional support and/orstrength to the orthogonal portion 112 and the orthogonal portion 114. Ahook 146 a is shown connected to the beam 120 b. A hook 146 b (notshown), may be connected to the beam 120 c is a generally symmetricalconfiguration around the frame 110.

The beams 120 a-120 d, the beams 112 a-112 d, and the various supports(e.g., 132, 134, 144, etc.) may be implemented, in one example, as angleposts. The diameter of the beams 112 a-112 d, and/or the varioussupports 132, 134, and/or 144 may be varied. For example, a size of 3.5inches by 5 inches may be implemented. However, other sizes may beimplemented to meet the design criteria of a particular implementation.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of the apparatus 100 showing mesh wireflooring and sides is shown. A mesh flooring 150 is shown covering theframe (or base) 110. The mesh flooring 150 may provide a cap for theframe 110. For example, the mesh flooring 150 may be implemented as aserrated piece of steel. A mesh side 152 is shown on the portion 112. Amesh side 154 is shown connected between the portion 112 and theorthogonal portion 114. The portion 112 may secure the mesh. The meshside 152 may keep the braces from sliding out of the apparatus 100. Amesh side 156 is shown on the door 118.

In general, a forklift (not shown) may insert forks into the receptacle130 a and the receptacle 130 b on the side shown. With such animplementation, the gate 118, the orthogonal portion 114, the mesh side154, the portion 140 and/or the portion 142 may hold the scaffolds 180a-180 n and/or the braces 182 a-182 n in place. The scaffolds 180 a-180n and/or the braces 182 a-182 n may have additional support for theforklift itself. The configuration of the apparatus 100 may providebalance to securely hold the scaffolds 180 a-180 n and/or the braces 182a-182 n. The portion 140 may help to keep the scaffolds from moving fromside to side and/or may help to keep the braces in place.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram of an alternate view of the embodiment isshown. The side shown with the hook 146 b is generally the sidepositioned away from the forklift. The portion 144 may help secure thescaffolds 180 a-180 n and/or the braces 182 a-182 n.

Referring to FIG. 4, a more detailed diagram of a portion of one cornerof the apparatus 100 is shown. The door 118 is shown in more detail. Ahinge 170 a and a hinge 170 b are shown connecting the door 118 to theframe 110. A pin 172 a and a pin 172 b are shown. The pins 172 a and 172b may be used to lock the door 118 in place. The door 118 may be used toprovide an additional (or optional) way to secure the scaffolds andbraces to the apparatus 100. The braces may include correspondinghardware such as side brackets, screws, jacks, etc.

Referring to FIG. 5, a diagram illustrating the optional door (or gate)118 in an open position is shown. The pins 172 a and 172 b are showndisengaged from the frame 110. The pins 172 a and 172 b remain connectedto the gate 118 for safekeeping. In one example, the gate 118 may be 1′4″ high and 4′ 0″ long. However, the particular dimensions of the gate118 may be varied to meet the design criterial of a particularimplementation.

Referring to FIG. 6, a diagram illustrating a view showing an embodimentof the apparatus 100 securing a number of scaffolds 180 a-180 n and anumber of braces 182 a-182 n is shown. The gate 118 is shown in an openposition. After loading the scaffolds 180 a-180 n and/or the braces 182a-182 n on the apparatus 100, the gate 118 may be closed. In oneexample, the scaffolds 180 a-180 n may be implemented as a standardsize. However, the particular size of the scaffolds 180 a-180 n may bevaried. For example, the scaffolds 180 a-180 n may be implemented as afull scaffold size.

Referring to FIG. 7, a diagram illustrating an alternate view of theapparatus 100 showing an embodiment securing the scaffolds 180 a-180 nand the braces 182 a-182 n is shown. A strap 190 is shown connectedbetween the hook 146 a and the hook 146 b.

Referring to FIG. 8, a diagram of an embodiment illustrating analternate implementation of the flooring 150′ and the sides 152′, 154′and/or 156′ is shown. The flooring 150′ may provide a cap to the frame110. In one example, the flooring 150′ may be implemented as a solidpiece of metal (e.g., steel). In another example the flooring 150′ maybe implemented as a piece of wood. The flooring 150′ may provide a capfor the frame 110. In one example, the sides 152′, 154′ and/or 156′ maybe implemented as a solid piece of metal (e.g., steel). In anotherexample the sides 152′, 154′ and/or 156′ may be implemented as a pieceof wood.

The overall size of the apparatus 100 (or 100′) may be varied as needed.In an example implementation, a size of 6 feet 8 inches by 6 feet 8inches wide may be implemented. The height may be 4 feet or more to holda particular number of scaffolds 180 a-180 n and/or braces 182 a-182 n.However, the overall size may be higher or wider as desired by buyer.

The frame 110 may be implemented as angled steel pieces. The particularsize of the angle around the bottom on the frame 110 may be any standardsize angle, or may be a custom sized angle. Various optional materialsmay be used. For example C-channels may be implemented as a standardc-channel, an angle, a round tubing material, a square tubing material,etc. In one example, the frame 110 may be 1′ 4″ high and 4′ 0″. However,the particular size of the frame 110 may be varied.

The overall dimensions of the apparatus 100 may be varied. In oneexample, the distance between the beam 112 c and the orthogonal portion116 may be 6 feet, 8 inches. The distance between orthogonal portion 114and the beam 112 c may be 16 inches. The height of the orthogonalportion 114, the orthogonal portion 116 and the support 140 may be 4feet. The height of the beam 112 c may be 24 inches. The distancebetween the orthogonal portion 114 and the orthogonal portion 116 may be4 feet 6 inches. The dimensions mentioned may be useful to fit theapparatus into a standard space on a yard floor. However, one or more ofthe dimensions may be varied as needed. The apparatus 100 may provide asecure platform to hold the weight of the scaffolds 180 a-180 n and/orthe braces 182 a-182 n. The weigh of the apparatus 100 may vary. In onexample, a weight capacity of 5,000-6,000 lbs may be supported. However,the apparatus 100 may be modified to hold other weights by providingadditional supports.

The terms “may” and “generally” when used herein in conjunction with “is(are)” and verbs are meant to communicate the intention that thedescription is exemplary and believed to be broad enough to encompassboth the specific examples presented in the disclosure as well asalternative examples that could be derived based on the disclosure. Theterms “may” and “generally” as used herein should not be construed tonecessarily imply the desirability or possibility of omitting acorresponding element.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

1. An apparatus comprising: a base; a first orthogonal portion (i)connected to a first side of said base near a first edge of said baseand (ii) having a rectangular shape; and a second orthogonal portion (i)connected to an interior of said base and (ii) having a rectangularshape, wherein (i) said first orthogonal portion and said secondorthogonal portion are positioned to secure a plurality of braces and(ii) said second orthogonal portion is positioned to secure a pluralityof scaffolds.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:a third orthogonal portion connected to a second side of said base neara second edge of said base, wherein said second orthogonal portion andsaid third orthogonal portion are positioned to secure said plurality ofscaffolds.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said basecomprises a frame formed from a plurality of steel beams connected in arectangular shape near said first edge of said base and said second edgeof said base.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said frameis capped with a flooring comprising solid piece of steel.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 3, wherein said frame is capped with aflooring comprising a serrated piece of steel.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said frame is capped with a flooringcomprising a piece of conveniently.
 7. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein said apparatus balances said plurality of scaffolds and saidplurality of braces when said apparatus is moved by a forklift.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises ascaffold and braces cage.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid apparatus allows said plurality of scaffolds and said plurality ofbraces to be conveniently moved by a forklift.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said apparatus allows a contractor to loada sufficient number of said plurality of scaffolds and said plurality ofbraces to be used for a complete job.